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Butch Jones on Alabama: 'Their program is what we are building here at Tennessee'

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Tennessee head coach Butch Jones makes his way through fans during the Vol Walk before an NCAA college football game against South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Butch Jones took a question about Alabama's running backs Monday and used it as a platform to lay out his goals at Tennessee.

"The one thing they can say about their program is it is what we are
building here at Tennessee," Jones, Tennessee's first-year coach, told reporters in Knoxville. "It is based on competition, it is a
competitive environment every day when you walk in there; that is what
we are building here at Tennessee."

In his first year, Jones has Tennessee off to an encouraging start. The Vols nearly upset Georgia and scored a major victory Saturday against South Carolina, winning 23-21 on a last-second field goal.

Tennessee hasn't made a bowl game since the 2010 Music City Bowl, but is just two wins away from avoiding its third consecutive regular season with a losing record.

"Tennessee is emerging
as a very good football team in the last two weeks," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "I think Butch Jones has done an outstanding job there. When a
team improves like they've improved, it's always a sign of good
coaching, good coaching staff and a lot of people doing a very, very
good job."

On multiple occasions, Jones said Alabama has no weaknesses.

"They have depth every where across the board, from special teams to
offense to defense," Jones said. "They are very physical, they play with great effort,
they are technically sound. They just don't rely on their abilities.
They are fundamentally sound. You have a quarterback who can make all
the throws, he is in control, big imposing offensive line. I think where
they have really taken great strides offensively is they have great
perimeter skill and speed. So yes, it is a great challenge. It is really
hard to simulate it in practice.

"I see a great
football team that is extremely well-coached and well-disciplined."